The Indianapolis Colts have a lot to prove nationally as they gear up for the 2026 offseason.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Perceptions can change quickly in the NFL. Take the Indianapolis Colts, for instance.
In mid-August, heading into the 2025 season, the Colts were ranked 26th out of 32 teams in ESPN's NFL power rankings. Quarterback uncertainty and a new-look defense gave onlookers pause. However, by Week 9 in late October, the Colts took the No. 1 spot in ESPN's rankings, with a 7-1 record and multiple blowout wins.
Then, the Colts began a slide, losing eight of their final nine games, including the final seven consecutively. They finished the season 16th in ESPN's rankings.
After spending last season going from near the bottom to the very top and then back to the middle of the pack, where does that put the Colts heading into the 2026 offseason?
With the conclusion of Super Bowl LX, ESPN released its "Early 2026 NFL Power Rankings," knocking the Colts down a few spots to No. 19.
"The Colts are doubling down after their hot start to 2025, retaining coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard while making plans to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones," ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder wrote after describing the upcoming offseason in three words as "running it back."
"Keeping the leadership was unpopular among some Colts fans, but Indianapolis is leaning into the decisions that had it among the top teams in the league before a series of late-season injuries," Holder continued. "Still, it's an imperfect plan. Jones' long Achilles injury rehab looms over it all. Plus, Indy will need to bolster its defensive front seven and also make a pivotal free agency decision on wide receiver Alec Pierce."
As Holder mentioned, the Colts' offseason to-do list isn't necessarily long, but each task is critical.
Locking up quarterback Daniel Jones is paramount. Despite his season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14, the rest of the quarterback market is a tough sell, and Jones worked brilliantly with head coach Shane Steichen before injuries set in.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce is also a key piece who has made himself nearly indispensable. Coming off of his first-career 1,000-yard season, Pierce has led the entire NFL in yards per reception for two consecutive years.
After that, the Colts must pour resources into the defensive front seven; really, anywhere on the defense.
Their 39 sacks were tied for 15th in the NFL, and the 247.9 passing yards per game they surrendered were second from the bottom.
Several key defensive players are due to hit free agency, such as safety Nick Cross, defensive ends Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis, as well as linebacker Germaine Pratt and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore.
The Colts have an opportunity to get "younger and faster" on defense, as general manager Chris Ballard mentioned, while also using some of their current salary cap space on outside talent.
So, while the Colts don't care about winning the offseason and moving up in anyone's power rankings, the moves that they do (or don't) make this offseason will show how inspired observers are as the 2026 regular season nears.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.